Cops to conduct narco analysis of Shraddha Sidam’s cousin in Maharashtra

NAGPUR: Bhandara police are set to conduct narco analysis of 25-year-old Ajay Sidam, a cousin of eight-year-old Shraddha Sidam, who was killed and burned between November 28 and 30.
Shraddha, a student of Std III, had gone missing on November 28 and her burnt body was found on Wednesday, November 30, at Papda khurd village in Sakoli tehsil. Forensic experts had suggested the death of the girl was due to throttling. TOI had earlier reported about the mystery surrounding Shraddha’s murder.
Bhandara police, which had deployed a sizeable manpower to search for the girl after she was reported missing, were left stunned when the victim’s body was found behind her house in a burnt condition.
The murder had triggered widespread resentment in the district, with various tribal groups clamouring for justice.
SP Lohit Matani said Ajay was arrested on the basis of strong evidence and his past conduct with the deceased. “We are contemplating conducting narco analysis test on the accused (Ajay) who is in police custody. The accused has been so far misleading the investigation team,” said Matani. “The victim's mother is now keen to share more information and furnish a statement against Ajay, about how he would often misbehave and torture Shraddha,” said the SP.
It’s learnt Shraddha’s kin had claimed that Ajay used to harass the girl on the pretext of some or the other work. “The family has also claimed Ajay used to make undue advances towards his younger cousin, who feared him. There were some injury marks on Shradhha in the past, which many believed to be the handiwork of Ajay,” said a source from the investigation team.
Police also said Ajay had asked Shraddha to bring chewable tobacco (kharra) and given her two Rs10 coins. Shraddha had reached home at around 3.30pm when Ajay too was present. “Ajay and Shraddha were last spotted near the victim’s house and later were untraceable for hours. After two days, Shraddha’s body was found in burnt condition,” said a senior official.